Watch: The Panel React To France Fortune & Captaincy Call With McInally & Petit
Emmanuel Petit believes history will only remember this France side as winners if they go on and become European champions in Berlin on July 14.
Didier Deschamps' side had to rely on an 85th-minute own goal by Jan Vertonghen against Belgium to progress to the quarter-finals in another display which failed to impress the critics.
Despite Les Bleus not living up to expectations once again, football betting sites make them third favourites to win Euro 2024.
France are still without a goal from open play in this tournament, relying on two own goals and a Kylian Mbappe penalty to progress to the last eight.
Euro 2000 winner Petit joined The Panel host Alan McInally to discuss his country's chances of replicating that feat from 24 years ago this summer.
Pressure Mounting On Defensive Deschamps
“I’m surprised anyone expects any more from the France national team as Didier Deschamps’ priority is not to concede a goal," the former France midfielder said.
“We need our strikers to improve and be more clinical in front of the goal because the level will get higher, so we need to be more efficient up front.
“If France had lost, a lot of people were saying this is the best opportunity for Zinedine Zidane to come and take charge of the national team.
“People have spoken for years about Deschamps and that we should play with more quality on the pitch and have more fluidity.
“But at the end, if you win, history will always remember you as a winner.”
Despite this less than impressive showing so far at Euro 2024 they are still 5/1 on betting apps to win the trophy for a third time.
France Captaincy Cause For Concern
As well as the criticism aimed at the manager for the team's negative approach, Petit also feels that the decision to make Kylian Mbappe captain for this tournament has also backfired.
After former skipper Hugo Lloris retired from international football following the 2022 World Cup, Deschamps was tasked with finding a new leader for Les Bleus.
The superstar, who has scored 37 goals in 70 appearances for his country, was confirmed as that man not long after it was announced he'd signed a five-year contract at the Bernabeu.
“The captaincy has caused a lot of problems in the national team in recent days and it’s been a big, big mess," Petit revealed on The Panel.
“Antoine Griezmann wanted to get the armband and be captain of this team and was very disappointed in Didier Deschamps’ decision and that causes problems in terms of egos in the team.
“It’s almost like karma. After a very difficult season with PSG Kylian Mbappe went into these Euros free in his mind because he signed with Real Madrid, but you expect much more from him as a player as well as a captain.
“He needs to communicate more and be a leader on the pitch, but at the moment he is not.”
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